On Thursday, Oct. 19, the New York State Public Service Commission approved the cable franchise agreement between Verizon and the Town of Greenburgh. Greenburgh was the first municipality in Westchester County to sign a contract with Verizon and is now the first to have that contract approved by the PSC.

Greenburgh residents will for the first time be able to choose between different cable television providers. Verizon is expected to offer service in the coming months.

In addition to competition, the 10-year agreement will give the Town an unprecedented five PEG channels, one each for public access, education, and government, as well as two additional channels, one each for government and education. The contract also provides funding for Public Access, Educational and Government (PEG) stations and equipment.

An additional benefit to residents will be the capability in the near future of broadcasting from several different sites in Town, including Woodlands Middle/High School and the Edgemont School District.

And for residents who live in unincorporated Greenburgh, but attend village schools, they also will soon be able to see educational programming from their own schools.

Next month negotiations between the Town and Cablevision will begin with the goal of bringing real competition and better service to our residents.